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New Video Captures Chaos After Smit Machchhar Stabbed on flydubai Flight
- •A newly surfaced video shows the chaotic aftermath of the flydubai cockpit attack, with Indian Captain Smit Machchhar injured and seeking help.
- •Passengers and crew rushed to restrain the co-pilot accused of attacking Machchhar during Flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv.
- •Machchhar can be heard saying "Help me, help me" in the footage, which also captures passengers discussing an attempt to crash the aircraft.
- •A passenger, Yaniv Hayun, helped control the situation in the cockpit after Machchhar, despite being wounded, opened the door.
- •After passengers intervened, two off-duty flydubai pilots landed the plane in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and Machchhar is now stable and receiving treatment in the UAE.
Key Questions Answered
During flydubai Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv, Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was allegedly stabbed and attacked by his co-pilot, causing the aircraft to drop roughly 17,000 feet in two minutes. Passengers and crew members intervened after Machchhar opened the cockpit door, and two off-duty flydubai pilots eventually landed the plane safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
A passenger identified by Israeli reports as Yaniv Hayun, a plumber wearing a blood-stained white T-shirt, helped control the situation near the cockpit and prevented the aircraft from continuing its descent. Passengers and crew members also rushed forward to overpower the co-pilot, while two off-duty flydubai pilots took over control of the plane.
The co-pilot was transferred from Saudi custody to the UAE, where authorities are investigating whether the incident involved terrorism or other individuals. While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the co-pilot underwent radical Islamist indoctrination and was suicidal, investigators have not yet announced a final motive.
